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E HM Wu K S 0. M 3 n A H D Nd. 570,657. Patented Nov. 3, 1896 UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

DEAN A. BECKYVITH, OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

LIBRARY-STACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,657, dated November 3, 1896.

Application filed April 18, 1 8 9 6- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DEAN A. BECKWITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of New York, county of New York, State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Library-Stacks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fragmentary part of my improved stack. Fig. 2 is a detail view of an end of a shelf. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view through a slightlymodified form. Fig. 4 is a detail View of the compressor. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a portion of an upright and its socketed foot or base.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in library-stacks, as they are known; and it consists, generally stated, in providing a hollow tube or column with suitable apertures, with which cooperate projections on the shelves for adjustably supporting said shelves.

Another feature of the invention resides in the novel construction of the compressor, as it is known.

Other features reside in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts, all as will hereinafter be described and afterward be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, A indicates the hollow columns or uprights, which are preferably made of rolled tubing, said uprights being provided with keyhole-apertures a, as shown. These uprights are preferably socketed in a base-casting B, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and these castings form a support for a bottom shelf, at the edges of which may be arranged moldings, if desired, said shelf adding rigidity to the structure.

0 indicates a top shelf or adjustable cover, which is supported by cross-bars passing through the apertures of uprights A. This cover serves to protect the books on the top shelf, and may be adjusted, the height of the uprights permitting, so as to increase the capacity of the rack by the addition of other shelves. This top shelf serves to prevent Serial No. 588,078. (No model.)

lateral movement of the uprights, and thus serves to strengthen the entire structure.

D indicates the shelves, which are preferably of an elongated U form, the edges of said shelves being rolled to increase their strength. Secured to the upper edges of the ends of the shelves are T-shaped project-ions cl, which are adapted to fit into the openings 0 of the uprights A to suspend the shelves. These T-shaped projections are preferably recessed on their under sides, so as to permit the cross-bar of the T to fit behind the shoulders of the T-shaped openings in the standards or uprights A when the projection is seated home. Extending from the lower edges of the ends of the shelves are projections 01, which are also recessed or notched on their under sides, so that they cooperate with the keyhole-openings in the uprights A and assist in supporting the shelf. This projection cl prevents the bottom of the shelf from swinging away from the uprights.

The bottoms of the shelves are supported by a brace E, either in the form of an I or inverted-T shaped strengthening-rib,as shown in Fig. 2, or said shelves may be strengthened by a rod E, as shown in Fig. 3.

F indicates a compressor, as it is known, which compressor is adapted to be moved along the shelf to support the end of a row of books, which does not cover the entire length of the shelf. This compressor, as I have shown it, consists of a plate F, from which extend spring-arms F, terminating in grasping-jaws F", adapted to cooperate with the strengthening rib or rod on the bottom of the shelf next above. By this construction it will be noted that the strengthening rib or rod performs a dual function: that of a strengthener or supporter for the shelf to which it is attached and that of a track or guideway for the compressor of the shelf next below.

By my construction I am enabled to produce a library-stack whose shelves may be 5 serving to secure the newly-added column,

thus making the whole as a unit; ast-ack which is simple in construction, cheap in cost, and which will offer the greatest book-space with but little, if any, sacrifice of floorspace.

I am aware that many minor changes in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of my invention may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described myinvention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a library-stack, the combination with hollow uprights having keyhole-apertures, of shelves of substantially elongated U shape which are provided with T-shaped projections at the upper edges of their vertical members cooperating with the apertures in the uprights, notched projections on the lower edges of said vertical members which also cooperate with said apertures but at a point beneath those engaged by the T-shaped projections, and bases into which said uprights are socketed; substantially as described.

2. In a library-stack, the combination with hollow uprights having keyhole-apertures, of shelves of substantially elongated U shape which are provided with T-shaped projections at the upper edges of their vertical members said T-shaped projections being notched on their under sides and cooperating with the apertures in the uprights, notched projections 011 the lower edges of the vertical members of the shelves which also cooperate with said apertures, a top or cover adj ustably arranged on the uprights for protecting books on the top shelf, and bases into which said uprights are socketed; substantially as described.

3. The herein-described compressor, comprising a plate, clamping-jaws, and springs extending from the plate, said jaws being mounted upon the free ends of said springs; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 13th day of April, 1896.

DEAN A. BEOKVITII.

lVitnesses:

WM. MARKUsKE, G J. PALMER. 

